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SF1907 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Notice requirement to crime victims when an offender files an apology

Related bill: HF681

AI Generated Summary

This bill (S.F. No. 1907) proposes amendments to Minnesota Statutes regarding crime victims' rights. It introduces a requirement that crime victims be notified when an offender submits an apology letter.

Key Provisions:

  1. Victims' Rights Update (Minnesota Statutes 611A.02, Subd. 2)

    • The Office of Justice Programs must update model notices informing crime victims of their rights.
    • Peace officers must distribute an initial notice to victims at first contact, detailing rights such as the ability to apply for reparations, request confidentiality, and receive information about victim assistance programs.
    • A supplemental notice, provided by city or county attorneys after an offender is charged, must outline all crime victim rights.
    • The notice now explicitly includes victims' rights to be informed if an offender submits an apology letter.

  2. New Requirement for Notification of Apology Letters (Minnesota Statutes 611A.06, Subd. 3b)

    • If an offender submits an apology letter, the Commissioner of Corrections or relevant custodial authority must make a "good faith effort" to notify the victim.
    • Victims must proactively request this notification in writing or through an electronic victim notification system.
    • The notification must occur within 90 days of the apology letter’s submission.

Purpose:

The bill ensures that crime victims are aware when offenders attempt to make amends through written apologies, granting them control over whether they want to be informed about such attempts.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 26, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
February 26, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
February 26, 2025HouseFloorActionReferred toJudiciary and Public Safety
February 26, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toJudiciary and Public Safety
March 02, 2025SenateFloorActionAuthor added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New requirement for notification of victim about offender's apology letter."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 611A.02, subdivision 2, expanding victim rights notifications.",
      "modified": [
        "Updates to the distribution and content of initial victim rights notices."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "611A.02",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Used as a reference for the definition of 'victim.'",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "611A.01",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Controls withholding public access to victim identity data.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "13.82",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 17"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Provides additional rights for domestic abuse victims, included in victim rights notices.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "629.341",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Referenced in relation to rights in homicide cases.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "524.2-803",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Referenced in relation to rights in homicide cases.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "524.3-614",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Referenced in relation to rights in homicide cases.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "524.3-615",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Subdivision for notice of offender's apology letter added."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Section amended to include a new subdivision regarding notification of victim about offender's apology letter.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "611A.06",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

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